Running through History pt. 4

Posted on September 26, 2012 at 2:26PM

The scenic route of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon continues at McNeill Bay at the 16.5 kilometre mark. Continuing along Dallas Road we run through the Victoria Golf Club. Founded in 1893, it is one Canada’s premier golf courses known for its challenging terrain and ocean views. We encounter a gradual hill, but once the top is reached there are wonderful views of the San Juan Isles andMt Baker. The Oak Bay Marina is ahead and the first of many historical plaques. One marks Turkey Head Walkway, named after the headland here. Further down in Queens Park by the Marina, is a plaque dedicated to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and also the Queen Mother who died the same year. A third plaque at Beach Drive and Windsor Road at 19 kilometres is a time capsule, to be opened July 2, 2056 to commemorate Oak Bay’s 150th Anniversary. I wonder if the Marathon will be running by here in 44 years time?

At Beach Drive and San Carlos Avenue is the junior school campus for Glenlyon Norfolk School, an independent day school known for its high educational standards and sporting prowess. Our journey through Oak Bay continues on Beach Drive until we reach Willows Beach at 20.5 kilometres. The tea room here, open from May to August, is a favourite for locals and tourists alike. It’s a great spot to watch the annual Bath Races which are part of the Oak Bay Tea Party held every June.
We now have a gradual ascent up into Uplands and just past the half way marathon point is one of the fine walking routes in Oak Bay, the Camas Trail. Uplands Park is ahead, a favourite for walkers. The 75-acre lot was purchased by Oak Bay in 1946 for public park use and is home to many rare plant species.
At the headland in Uplands is Cattle Point, a lovely spot to sit and watch the cruise ships go by. It was a landing point for cattle between 1860 and 1910. Cattle were pushed overboard from paddle steamers to swim ashore where cowboys would round them up. Opposite the entrance to Cattle Point is the War Memorial, remembering the fallen from World War I and II, and the Korean War.
Heading up to the Marathon turnaround we look out over Cadboro Bay with its Yacht Club, the charming English-style village with coffee shops, pub and restaurants and gift shops. But we venture no further as we turn around at Exeter Road and return the way we came, reversing our route until we reach Beacon Hill Park again. See you next time for the final leg of our marathon journey through history.

Author: Louise Hodgson-Jones

Louise Hodgson-Jones is a media relations and communications specialist with extensive knowledge of sports events, marketing materials, media, publishing and writing. As Sponsorship and Marketing Manager, and Media Liaison of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon, she gets to mix her love of running with promoting Western Canada’s most scenic marathon. Every October on Thanksgiving weekend the Victoria Marathon hosts over 12,000 runners from all over North America and overseas. With families and friends, the population of Victoria balloons to over 20,000 on race weekend. “The Victoria Marathon has a reputation for its hospitality, organization and great volunteer spirit. We have participants coming back year after year,” says Louise. The Marathon was voted the Best Marathon in Western Canada in 2010 by readers of Get Out There Magazine. Louise also volunteers at other running events including the Vancouver Island Race Series, the TC10K and the newest race on the Island, the Victoria Goddess Run. Her greatest running moment was running the Boston Marathon in 2011. However as she says: “Victoria is the best place to be in the world if you are a runner.